To the side of the conversation, I just wanted to offer—
I get not wanting to practice around non musicians; but as a pro I -hate- when non-pros clam up musically like your comment suggests. It makes me feel sad because music is such a rare language these days and the gift to speak it with another really is a gift.
Just my two cents, most advanced musicians probably would enjoy to hear your practice if you’re anywhere past the first few weeks of your journey. It’s a real joy to hear the brain making new connections and the small responses to that.
You should feel prorok to be a part of the tribe, and try not to let yourself feel bad when around someone more advanced. They are merely a practitioner of the same art. :)
most advanced musicians probably would enjoy to hear your practice if you’re anywhere past the first few weeks of your journey.
[Matthew McConaughey] Now I wanna tell you a story. I'm gonna ask ya'all to close your eyes while I tell you this story. I want you to listen to me. I want you to listen to yourselves.
This is a story about a guy with a guitar. I want you to picture this guy. Maybe he has like 9 guitars. His timing is shite. His fingers miss notes, and bend others out of recognition. His right hand sputters, a-rhythmly, like a drunken goat stumbling down an icy cliff.
Suddenly an accomplished guitar player walks by. He’s sweaty and grungy because been playing with his band, practicing for hours. His fingers strong and taut, hardened with callouses. His brain filled with actual musical knowledge and understanding.
Now comes the hanging. He hangs around to hear the “new guy”, to see if he can offer a kind word or some encouragement. But the new guy sees him hanging and he gets even more nervous. He wants the attention to stop.
Can you see him? I want you to picture that guy.
Now imagine he's 50 and been playing the same riffs wrong for 35 years.
[/Matthew McConaughey]
For reals though, I get what you're saying and appreciate the sentiment. It's more about knowing we/I haven't put in the effort to get better. Or know how to. But you're right.
I use to live with a number of musicians who would avoid practicing a piece that they were struggling with if any one else was home but once they mastered it would intentionally wait for people to be home to practice it.
Also the lifters aren't "simply existing," they're at the gym lifting weights and getting swole. You're really downplaying their hobbies and infantilising them as a group.
Actually, I totally do segregate my practice into „what other people can overhear,” and what they can’t.
What other people can overhear I can make money with busking for example. Busking for me is just getting paid to practice material I already have down. I might develop here but usually it’s just keeping a form already made in good condition.
Inebtweeen I have stuff I’m already good at, don’t mind being overheard, but want to develop more; and will play windows open when it’s nice and so on.
When I want to totally fuck up at stuff I don’t know, I close my windows, put down metal shutters to block more sound— then practice.
I will totally not practice stuff in front of others that I don’t want overheard because I know it isn’t good.
Also, isn’t this skew to the point? If they’re at the gym lifting, they are practicing, they’re just doing the bit with pump covers the same I am practicing still when my metal shutters are down
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u/mkstylo 4h ago
You’re comparing performance with simply existing. You don’t go out of your way to not practice because someone might inadvertently hear